European Stocks Settle Weak As Oil's Surge Fuels On Inflation, Rate Worries

European stocks closed lower as rising oil prices fed concerns over inflation and interest rates, while bond yields weighed on sentiment. Oil climbed sharply amid reports that the White House asked the Pentagon for options to strike Iran before the midterm elections, though no final decision was reported. Separately, Gulf of Mexico oil operators began curbing production and evacuating offshore personnel. In parallel, “hawkish” comments from some central bank officials and worries about France’s fiscal outlook dampened risk appetite. Brent front-month futures rose to $105.92 before easing to around $104.90. The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 0.75%, with Germany’s DAX down 1.18% and France’s CAC 40 off 0.51%.